Brendan Rodgers reckons England's top clubs are wrong to dismiss Celtic's talent just because they are playing in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops boss insists players performing under the pressure at Parkhead on a regular basis and in the Champions League have proved they are capable of playing at the top level.

Discussing former Hoops defender Virgil Van Dijk's next move - with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all linked with the Southampton defender - Rodgers said he still feels there is a snobbery towards the Scottish game from some down south.

Van Dijk is being quoted at £50million just two years after leaving Celtic for Saints in an £11m move.

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It was a point raised by former Norwich boss Alex Neil last week when he said some critics in England saw the Scottish game as a pub league and wouldn't bother sending scouts north.

"The problem for some guys that were playing with Celtic is that people were thinking they were 'only playing in Scottish football' which is a less competitive league than England," Rodgers told talkSPORT this morning.

"But if they are doing it at European level for Celtic and under the pressure of playing for Celtic then they have to have something about them.

"I speak to people up here who worked with Virgil Van Dijk and he always had those qualities.

"He is 6ft 4in and can play, he is fast, he is an international footballer, he has got everything.

Virgil van Dijk

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"Same with Victor Wanyama - a real top player. People will talk about the competition being a bit less up here than it is in England and of course it is as the Premier League is the most competitive league in the world.

"But you put your trust in your scouts and your guys that spot the talent to identify, no matter what league the play in, that they are good enough."

Rodgers was talking a day after the champions kept their Treble quest on course by beating Rangers 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden.

Star man Moussa Dembele - a £20m target for West Ham United in the last transfer window - hobbled off after just 28 minutes with a hamstring injury and there are fears his season could be over.

Celtic's Moussa Dembele feels his hamstring (Image: SNS Group)

But the Celtic boss is not giving up hope of having the Frenchman fit for the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen on May 27.

He said: "He gets his scan today and we will see the extent of it. We will see the grading and where he is at. We still have five weeks until the final so we will just see what comes out of it."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Barcelona superstar hit his 500th goal for Barca in last night's thrilling 3-2 win over Real Madrid.

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Rodgers holds the Argentinian as the greatest ever and said: "I had a real good look at him when they beat us 7-0! He is absolutely phenomenal.

"My father loved Pele and I was a big lover of Maradona who I though was an amazing player.

"But when you look at Messi's impact and consistency. Both him and Ronaldo to be fair. It's just about choice between those two. Who do you prefer?

"When you look at Messi last night and his finish. He is an incredible player and players are in awe of him because of his quality and also his mentality. He is always there and plays probably 60 games plus a season.

"I love that type, where he plays and how he plays and he makes the other players better."